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Fiction Haven is a new online community for aspiring writers.

Join us in our inception, we need you to gain momentum! We want to help aspiring writers overcome their obstacles, while providing motivation. You can build your own reader base and ask them for any support.

[rodrirego-blog]

Fiction Haven is a new online community for aspiring writers.

Join us in our inception, be part of something special. We want to help aspiring writers overcome their obstacles, while providing motivation. You can build your own reader base and ask them for any support.

[rodrirego-blog]

Brings back good memories :)

‘Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.’

JK Rowling — Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

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Review: Ranger’s Apprentice - The Ruins of Gorlan

4.5/5 Wax Seals

Introduction [No Spoilers]

Firstly, this book was recommended to me by a friend. She told me that the main character, Will, a little and skinny orphan boy, was inspired by the author’s son, to whom John Flanagan wished to prove that we don’t have to be physically strong and big to become a hero. For that reason, I immediately wanted to embark in this brilliant story and well-grounded medieval world.

 Review [No Relevant Spoilers]

There are three primary good points in this first book of the series: the world, the characters and their jobs as members of a fiefdom.

In a first inspection, I immediately felt like the world Flanagan built is a “give us a map appended to the book” kind of world, which I like very much (and the books really come with a map, so thumbs up for that). The world building itself is exciting and very easy to follow, without any “dump” of information. In fact, when it comes to world building and character development, in my opinion, John Flanagan does a really good job.

Regarding the characters and their development, Flanagan delights us with a good bunch of characters. None of them are enveloped in unnecessary drama or lies and revenge plots (except for the villain, of course), all of them are very believable and ordinary, despite their ranks, and that is what makes them jump out of the paper and feel real. Nevertheless, there is a rivalry between the main character and another orphan boy since the very beginning of the book, however the author quickly addresses this part of the plot.

In Ranger’s Apprentice the young wards must choose their professions and Will ends up being reluctantly recruited as a ranger apprentice. For me the Choosing Day is the turning point of this first book, it’s when you won’t stop reading until you finish. Other jobs that are commonly available are: diplomat, scribe, cook, warrior and farmer, some sound more interesting than others, but I must say I find it very refreshing to have these regular professions, instead of deadly young assassins or overpowered fighters.

My favorite character is Halt, Redmont Fief’s Ranger. He is the most badass and secretly caring mentor Will could have. He’s a war hero who acknowledges his own flaws and is self-conscious that his past accomplishments, as a loyal defender of Redmont, are not so legendary as they popularly seem.

All in all, The Ruins of Gorlan is perfect at setting up this new world and even when Will is mostly training to be a ranger, the plot is never tedious or repetitive, because in the meantime you’ll be puzzled by Halt and Will’s relationship.

I decided to avoid telling you about what Rangers actually do in Ranger’s Apprentice, since I think it’s better for you to go figure it out yourselves by reading the book.

Follow me on Good Reads: rodrigorego

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First Literary Trip: Ranger’s Apprentice

Hello followers,

I am annoucing my first object of reviews: Ranger’s Apprentice (12 book collection), by John Flanagan. I’m currently reading book #2 - The Burning Bridge.

Set in the medieval age, in a world different from the one we know (yet full of equivalences), it tells the story of a little orphan boy named Will recruited to become a ranger. While it is, in fact, categorized as fantasy, one of the things that most dared me to read it is that there’s no magic in this alternate earth, however there’s still some kinds of beastly creatures unknown to the regular and drepressed real world muggle.

I’ve really enjoyed reading the first book of this predictably amazing series of books. Ranger’s Apprentice is very refreshing indeed, especially if your last readings have been nothing more than boring.

Stay on alert for my first review of the book Ranger’s Apprentice - The Ruins of Gorlan, coming soon.

Best regards,

A cringy guy making irrelevant reviews for you.

Follow me on Good Reads: rodrigorego